International

Be Bee gets busy as comeback looms

Aushorse Golden Horseshoe winner Be Bee came out for a pleasing hit-out with stablemate Ladrone in an impromptu two-horse barrier trial on Tuesday morning.

With a lot of scratchings registered as the barrier trial sessions wore on due to the water-logged Polytrack following the overnight rain, Be Bee’s original trial of seven runners was wiped out to only two runners in the end.

Ridden by his winning partner John Powell in the Group 2 two-year-old last Leg of the Singapore Golden Horseshoe series, the Showcasing three-year-old, who has not raced since his fourth place to Mr Hanks in the Group 3 Juvenile Championship (1400m) on July 30, looked well within himself as he strode out with Ladrone (Matthew Kellady) during the casual spin.

Be Bee (John Powell, right) walks back from the tunnel with Ladrone (Matthew Kellady), picture Singapore Turf Club

Trainer Shane Baertschiger has picked a Class 4 race over 1200m on Polytrack on December 1 as the comeback race for the Auric Stable-owned gelding.

The Australian conditioner would have obviously preferred a bigger field in Tuesday’s barrier trial, but was happy enough with the workout. He will give him another similar hit-out in two weeks’ time.

After jumping a shade better than Ladrone, Be Bee was always in control of the trial, but was never really shaken up by Powell throughout the 1000m journey. Ladrone stayed within respectable distance and that was how the duo finished at the wire.

“Be Bee had a nice break. It’s a pity there were only two runners in his barrier trial, but it’ll do,” said Baertschiger.

“He will trial again next Thursday week and hopefully, there will be more than two runners.”

Baertschiger said Be Bee was an uncomplicated and professional individual who seems to have come back better and stronger after his four-month layoff.

“He’s strengthened up since he’s come back. He’s a sound horse with no issues and is a real pleasure to train,” said Baertschiger, who is currently second on the Singapore trainer’s premiership on 58 winners, but a huge gap of 26 winners behind tearaway leader Mark Walker.

“He will run in a Class 4 race over 1200m on December 1. We’ll then look for another race for him after the December break.

“We’re obviously aiming him at the Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge next year. We’ll take it one race at a time.

“Being a Showcasing, you would think he can get the mile, but his dam’s side is more sprint. We’ll see.”

Be Bee is out of Fusaichi Pegasus mare My Other Woman whose dam was Golden Slipper winner Burst. His full sister Platinum Express is already a stakes performer in New Zealand with five wins recorded between 1100m and 1200m.

Be Bee was sold at last year's New Zealand Bloodstock Select Yearling sale to Glen Harvey Bloodstock for NZ$220,000 before being purchased by Baertschiger at the Ready-to-Run sale for NZ$250,000.

The Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge kicks off with the Group 3 Singapore Three-Year-Old Sprint (1200m) on March 30 before moving to the Group 2 Singapore Three-Year-Old Classic (1400m) on April 22 and the grand final, the Group 1 Singapore Guineas (1600m) on May 18.